Updated October 2026: Today the answer is four days. The article below was written before 2019, when the question was still open.
What Defqon.1 looks like in 2027
Defqon.1 2027 runs from Thursday to Sunday, 24-27 June. Thursday is the opening evening, The Gathering, from 18:00 to 23:00, and it is included in the weekend ticket. From Friday to Sunday the festival is open from 11:00 to 23:00. There are day tickets for Friday, Saturday and Sunday, but not for Thursday. With a weekend ticket you stay at the campsite from 12:00 on Thursday to 12:00 on Monday. Read more about Defqon.1 2027 and the tickets.
The question before 2019
Updated 21 February 2019
Defqon.1 Weekend Festival 2019 will be 3 days. The time frame for Q-dance and the authorities was too short. Since then the festival has become four days, and in 2027 it runs from Thursday to Sunday, 24-27 June.
There is still no answer to whether Defqon.1 2019 will be 3 or 4 days. Q-dance has been cryptic and only written "last weekend of June" in its posts and marketing. This is probably because the permits from the authorities are not ready yet, so no fixed date can be announced.
Why 4 days?
Q-dance probably wants to expand the concept even further. 4-day festivals are not that common in the Netherlands in the HDM scene. However, there are several festivals abroad, such as Ozora and Boom, that last more than 3 days. Tomorrowland has long had 4 days (marketed as 3 days, because the party at the campsite on Thursday is not counted), so the format is proven in the EDM scene too.
So what can we expect from a fourth day? It will probably be a bit like the Tomorrowland concept, where you have time to land and take it easy on Thursday after all the travelling. Those who have been know that the journey takes time, then the tents and everything else need to go up, and then you head straight out to pre-party. With an extra day there will probably be less stress, and Q-dance can run a full day on Friday when everyone is rested.
Isn't 4 days a lot?
Yes and no, it all depends on how you handle the partying. We would rather say it will be calmer and less stressful than arriving on Friday. More festival days means less stress about experiencing everything, and you also get a good night's sleep before Friday.
Imagine arriving and putting up your tent or checking in to other accommodation without any stress. Every year there is huge pressure when 85,000 people all want to get in at the same time on Friday. This will probably be spread out more evenly now, with more Dutch visitors arriving on Friday while those who travel further, like us Scandinavians, arrive on Thursday.
If you want to know more about Defqon.1, read our FAQ.
How do I get a ticket?
If you travel with Coretours, you are guaranteed a ticket and the trip as long as you book in time. Coretours has been an official partner of Q-dance for many years, and in 2018 as many as 440 people from Scandinavia travelled with them. Pre-register to get priority access to the ticket release.
